Employment Counselor

at  Catholic Charities of Buffalo

CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS SEEKING A FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT COUNSELOR FOR OUR WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 525 WASHINGTON STREET, BUFFALO, NY 14203.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that offers an array of programs that strive to empower individuals, children and families. Catholic Charities of Buffalo, NY, is the most comprehensive human service provider serving the eight counties of Western New York with dozens of programs at 40+ professionally staffed locations. Our programs include comprehensive counseling services for all ages, basic emergency assistance including operating 8 food pantries, mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, educational and job readiness services, services to older adults, marriage counseling, immigration and refugee assistance and a variety of programs that address prevention and treatment of a number of family issues.

• 35-hour work week
• 14+ paid holidays for FT
• Up to 25 PTO days a year
• Comprehensive health, dental & vision coverage offerings
• Flexible Spending Account option
• Health Savings Account when elect a high deductible health plan
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403B Retirement Plan - (may join after first pay period) with employer contribution after six months

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for determining participant’s employability through the evaluation of strengths, skills and barriers in support of the Erie County Work Experience Program. Will provide job development services, resume development, job application assistance, community linkage and advocacy work.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, school or career counseling, guidance, education, or related human services field.
• Must have reliable transportation for job requirements.

EXPERIENCE:

• Strong personal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• The ability to keep concise records.
• A sensitivity to the development stages and well-being of participants.
• The ability to work with a diversity of individuals and groups.
• Able to accept supervision and work well both independently and in teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills to analyze issues and create action plans.
• The ability to adapt to changing work priorities and maintain flexible working hours.
• The ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships.

• Ability to engage with diverse clientele experiencing the impact of poverty, short- and long-term multi-problem situations and urgent needs
• Comfortable providing case management services and making appropriate referrals to both internal and external referral sources
• Expand and maintain a job bank for direct hire or work experience job sites
• Assess and evaluate participants job performance and providing constructive feedback
• Work closely with local employers to match students with available employment opportunities
• Learn and utilize program specific data tracking system (OSOS) as well as internal database
• Collaborate with Educators and Case Managers and provide employment related supports to students/participants.
• Utilize various methods, including standardized tests and websites such as CAREER ZONE to assess a student’s employability, strengths, and barriers to employment
• Present to schools, career programs, education departments and community organizations on program incentives and eligibility
• Formulate a work plan for participant to develop short- and long-term career goals
• Facilitate ongoing job readiness classes to program participants with a focus on employability skills which include areas such as communication on the job, interviewing skills, local and national employability outlook, dress for employment, how to determine what job is best for you, conflict resolution, and other areas
• Assists clients with job placement, including job-search classes, resume/cover letter development, labor market analysis and employment contacts
• Maintains case files as directed to meet customer follow-up and program evaluation needs
• Meet quantitative expectations established by the funding sources and agency
• Engage in professional development and in-service trainings
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Comply with the Agency’s Compliance Program, Code of Ethics, laws, regulations, and ethical standards applicable to your job duties